"Maison & Objet" is held in Paris twice a year, in January and September. With its numerous major international fairs, the French capital has developed into one of the leading venues. We are looking forward to the next "Maison & Objet" from 23 to 27 January 2009.

September

The international Biennale of Architecture in Venice is one of the foremost events for architects. The exhibition is held in alternate years to the Biennale of Art and takes place this year from 14 September to 23 November. Every year, the German Ministry of Building holds a competition to design the German pavilion. This year, architects Friedrich von Borries and Matthias Böttger of the Berlin-based firm of architects, Raumtaktik, are responsible for the German contribution to the Biennale.

Three design fairs -"Abitare il Tempo" in Verona, "100% Design" in London and "Habitat" in Valencia - are being held virtually in parallel this year. "Abitare il Tempo" is characterised primarily by its numerous special exhibitions. Last year, the fair invited Arne Quinze to be its guest of honour and placed an area of 4,000 square metres at his disposal. The special exhibition at the 23rd edition of "Abitare il Tempo", which runs from 18 to 22 September 2008, is the work of architect Vittorio Locatelli, designer Giulio Cappellini and others.The most important design fair in Great Britain is "100% Design" in London. Britain's Established & Sons, who focus primarily on design from their own country, will open their new premises during the fair in London. The "Tent London" design festival will also inject new life into the city with events revolving around the subject of design. "Tent London" is the successor to "East London" and will be held at the Truman Brewery in East London from 18 to 21 September. The "Habitat" furniture fair in Valencia from 23 to 27 September is not one of Europe's biggest events. However, it provides a splendid overview of modern Spanish design. And the city itself is particularly worth seeing. For example, one of Valencia's most prominent sons, architect Santiago Calatrava, designed and built the 'City of Art and Science' in the dried up river bed of the Río Turia. After four successful editions of the Portuguese Design Biennale, "ExperimentaDesign", in Lisbon, the first "ExperimentaDesign" is about to be held in Amsterdam. Rotating annually, this international collaboration focuses on the fields of design, architecture and modern art. From 18 September to 2 November, a variety of exhibitions, lectures and open discussion events, most of them concentrated in the first week, will be held under the motto "Space and Place - Design for the Urban Landscape".

This year's "Helsinki Design Week" focuses on the subject of light. From 25 September to 6 October, a variety of installations in urban areas, exhibitions, fashion shows, etc., illustrate different ways of approaching the subject.

October

For ten days, from 2 to 12 October, the whole of Vienna will be turned into a platform and showcase for design. With exhibitions, installations, themed special events, discussions, film programmes, etc., the 2nd "Vienna Design Week" will examine design as an important aspect of the cultural landscape.

The Czech Republic has celebrated the Design Days in October for the last ten years. Under the name "Designblok", the Design Days in Prague will present practically everything that the Czech cultural scene has to offer in the way of interior design, fashion and architecture from 7 to 12 October.

Anyone wanting to see Italy's leading design-oriented manufacturers together at the same time and place should go to Moscow from 8 to 11 October. The fourth edition of "I Saloni WorldWide Moscow" is an annual export of the Milan Furniture Fair.

Mediterranean design will be on show at five different sites in the new design metropolis of Istanbul from 16 to 20 October. However, the principle venue will be the old and symbolic Galata Bridge across the Golden Horn. The "Istanbul Design Week 2008" is a joint venture by the Turkish organisers and the founders of the ZonaTortona Design in Milan and is thus based on a proven, innovative and successful concept.

The name Kortrijk stands for one of Europe's leading design fairs. With only a few exceptions, this is where the sector's top brands and the most important design protagonists get together. "Interieur 08", the 21st International Biennale for Interior Design, will transform the small Belgian town into a Mecca of design from 17 to 26 October.

"Orgatec" in Cologne is one of the world's foremost office-furniture fairs. From 21 to 25 October 2008, the trade fair will take a comprehensive look at the international market for furnishings, lighting, flooring and acoustics in the office and contract sector. Also of considerable interest will be the "Design Post" showroom across the road from the fairground.

"Designer's Open" in Leipzig is a fresh new design festival, a blend of communication, culture and opportunities for buying. Every year design by national and international players ranging from fashion, product, industrial and communication design to even architecture is showcased in a new, charming location. Last year the Designer's Open was held in the famous department store "Blechbüchse"; from October 24 to 26 140 designers will be displaying their products on 2,000 square meters of former sales space with 160 meters of continuous windows.

November

The "Designer’s Saturday" in the Swiss town of Langenthal has been rounding off the autumn round of autumn fairs for many years. As one of the highlights of the season, it will offer the chance to see the manufacturing process of good design in the factories of five major companies on 8 and 9 November. Stylepark will be represented there for the first time with exhibition space on the Creation Baumann stand. (nj)